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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where does Marion spend most of his time off?

2. About what does Rosina complain regarding Genet?

3. What does Genet begin to do in medical school?

4. To what hospital does Marion go in New York?

5. What does Hema decide about Genet?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Marion go when he is missing Genet, and what happens there?

2. What does Marion and Hema find in Rosina's bungalow when they go there after hearing noises?

3. What does Marion do when he finds out where Dr. Stone is?

4. What does Rosina do about Genet's sex drive and what happens as the result of that action?

5. How does Marion finally end up having sex with Genet, and what does she do after they are together?

6. What does the famous doctor suggest to Deepak?

7. What does Stone do after Marion lets him know how he feels?

8. How does Marion find out that Genet is in America?

9. What do the nurses ask Marion to do when Popsy enters the operating room?

10. Who arrives while the family is celebrating Ghosh's return, and what does he do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is highly symbolic that the blood vessels that once connected Shiva and Marion as one body are the ones to explode, ultimately killing Shiva. After Shiva's death, however, Marion feels like order is restored, that he and Shiva truly are one body again, and he even begins using the word "we" instead of "I" in this first-person narration.

1. Discuss in depth the symbolism of the blood vessels that connected Shiva and Marion killing him. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Do you think Shiva would have undergone the surgery if he had known ahead of time that he would die? Why or why not? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

3. Marion's attitude towards Genet and his thought that he and his twin are one again following Shiva's death may indicate he has some form of delusional thinking. Discuss the possibilities of this statement. Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

"Cutting for Stone" belongs to fictional memoir genre. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "genre" and give several examples of three other genres in addition to the fictional memoir genre.

2. Discuss two reasons why it might be useful to label a text by genre and two reasons it might be disadvantageous to label a text by genre.

3. What do you think is the difference between a fictional memoir and a historical novel mystery?

Essay Topic 3

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Marion and Shiva. How are they similar? How are they different? Is there a flaw in each of their personalities? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Genet and Tsige. How do they seem different? Which do you like more? Why? Which one seems more of a well-rounded character?

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters in "Cutting for Stone" help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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